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Head-to-head · Electrical Design Software

ETAP vs LTspice

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ETAP #1 in Electrical Design Software 9.6/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ETAP
LTspice #8 in Electrical Design Software 6.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit LTspice

ETAP leads on 2 checks, LTspice on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreETAP · 9.6/10
  • Free planonly LTspice
  • Most featuresETAP · 4 of 4

ETAP scores higher on our rubric for electrical design software: 9.6 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

LTspice offers free plan; ETAP doesn't. ETAP offers panel design; LTspice doesn't publish it. On electrical simulation, ETAP gives you Advanced where LTspice offers Basic. ETAP offers mcad integration; LTspice doesn't publish it. On deployment, ETAP gives you Hybrid where LTspice offers Desktop.

ETAP is the better fit for power-system engineering teams needing field workflows. LTspice is the better fit for free analog circuit simulation.

  • ETAP fits best

    Power-system engineering teams needing field workflows

  • LTspice fits best

    Free analog circuit simulation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ETAP 9.6/10 Visit ↗ LTspice 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.6 6.7
Ranking #1 in Electrical Design Software #8 in Electrical Design Software
Best for Power-system engineering teams needing field workflows Free analog circuit simulation
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Windows, macOS
Support Phone, Docs Community
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ETAP 4/4 · LTspice 2/4
Schematic capture ✓ ✓
Panel design ✓ (best) Not published
Standards libraries ✓ ✓
MCAD integration ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Electrical simulation Advanced Basic
Deployment Hybrid Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • Combines single-line modeling with load-flow and short-circuit analysis
  • Supports coordination, harmonics, cable sizing, and panel schedules
  • Connects desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and engineering software
  • Free and unlimited analog SPICE simulation
  • Graphical schematic capture with waveform viewing
  • Analog Devices models, demos, tutorials, and third-party model support
Cons
  • Pricing requires a sales quote rather than published numeric prices
  • Advanced protection and harmonics features require higher plans
  • The 30-day offer is a trial/demo, not a perpetual free plan
  • Limited to Windows and macOS
  • Focused on analog circuits rather than broader drafting
  • No broader integration ecosystem is specified
Our verdict

ETAP is an electrical power-system software platform for utilities, infrastructure, buildings, industrial organizations, transportation operators, and engineering teams. Its scope covers intelligent single-line diagram modeling, load-flow…

Read the review →

LTspice is a free desktop application from Analog Devices for designing and analyzing analog circuits. It combines graphical schematic capture, SPICE simulation, and waveform viewing in one workflow. The software is aimed at engineers,…

Read the review →
  1. ETAPElectrical Design Software 9.6Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. LTspiceElectrical Design Software 6.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ETAP — where it wins

    • Combines single-line modeling with load-flow and short-circuit analysis
    • Supports coordination, harmonics, cable sizing, and panel schedules
    • Connects desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and engineering software

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales quote rather than published numeric prices
    • Advanced protection and harmonics features require higher plans
    • The 30-day offer is a trial/demo, not a perpetual free plan

  • LTspice — where it wins

    • Free and unlimited analog SPICE simulation
    • Graphical schematic capture with waveform viewing
    • Analog Devices models, demos, tutorials, and third-party model support

    Where it doesn't

    • Limited to Windows and macOS
    • Focused on analog circuits rather than broader drafting
    • No broader integration ecosystem is specified
  • ETAP9.6/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A broad electrical engineering platform for modeling, analysis, field workflows, and automation.

    Visit ETAPFull verdict →
  • LTspice6.7/10 · Free plan

    A focused, free desktop tool for simulating and analyzing analog circuits.

    Visit LTspiceFull verdict →

More comparisons

All electrical design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update